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Passaro ML, Matarazzo F, Abbadessa G, Pezone A, Porcellini A, Tranfa F, Rinaldi M, Costagliola C. Glaucoma as a Tauopathy-Is It the Missing Piece in the Glaucoma Puzzle? J Clin Med 2023; 12:6900. [PMID: 37959365 PMCID: PMC10650423 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12216900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder affecting the visual system which can result in vision loss and blindness. The pathogenetic mechanisms underlying glaucomatous optic neuropathy are ultimately enigmatic, prompting ongoing investigations into its potential shared pathogenesis with other neurodegenerative neurological disorders. Tauopathies represent a subclass of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the abnormal deposition of tau protein within the brain and consequent microtubule destabilization. The extended spectrum of tauopathies includes conditions such as frontotemporal dementias, progressive supranuclear palsy, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease. Notably, recent decades have witnessed emerging documentation of tau inclusion among glaucoma patients, providing substantiation that this ocular disease may similarly manifest features of tauopathies. These studies found that: (i) aggregated tau inclusions are present in the somatodendritic compartment of RGCs in glaucoma patients; (ii) the etiology of the disease may affect tau splicing, phosphorylation, oligomerization, and subcellular localization; and (iii) short interfering RNA against tau, administered intraocularly, significantly decreased retinal tau accumulation and enhanced RGC somas and axon survival, demonstrating a crucial role for tau modifications in ocular hypertension-induced neuronal injury. Here, we examine the most recent evidence surrounding the interplay between tau protein dysregulation and glaucomatous neurodegeneration. We explore the novel perspective of glaucoma as a tau-associated disorder and open avenues for cross-disciplinary collaboration and new treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura Passaro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.L.P.); (F.T.); (C.C.)
| | | | - Gianmarco Abbadessa
- Division of Neurology, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonio Pezone
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonio Porcellini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Fausto Tranfa
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.L.P.); (F.T.); (C.C.)
| | - Michele Rinaldi
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.L.P.); (F.T.); (C.C.)
| | - Ciro Costagliola
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.L.P.); (F.T.); (C.C.)
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2
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Magrin C, Bellafante M, Sola M, Piovesana E, Bolis M, Cascione L, Napoli S, Rinaldi A, Papin S, Paganetti P. Tau protein modulates an epigenetic mechanism of cellular senescence in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1232963. [PMID: 37842084 PMCID: PMC10569482 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1232963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Progressive Tau deposition in neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads is the hallmark of tauopathies, a disorder group that includes Alzheimer's disease. Since Tau is a microtubule-associated protein, a prevalent concept to explain the pathogenesis of tauopathies is that abnormal Tau modification contributes to dissociation from microtubules, assembly into multimeric β-sheets, proteotoxicity, neuronal dysfunction and cell loss. Tau also localizes in the cell nucleus and evidence supports an emerging function of Tau in DNA stability and epigenetic modulation. Methods: To better characterize the possible role of Tau in regulation of chromatin compaction and subsequent gene expression, we performed a bioinformatics analysis of transcriptome data obtained from Tau-depleted human neuroblastoma cells. Results: Among the transcripts deregulated in a Tau-dependent manner, we found an enrichment of target genes for the polycomb repressive complex 2. We further describe decreased cellular amounts of the core components of the polycomb repressive complex 2 and lower histone 3 trimethylation in Tau deficient cells. Among the de-repressed polycomb repressive complex 2 target gene products, IGFBP3 protein was found to be linked to increased senescence induction in Tau-deficient cells. Discussion: Our findings propose a mechanism for Tau-dependent epigenetic modulation of cell senescence, a key event in pathologic aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Magrin
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, PhD Program in Neurosciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Martina Bellafante
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Martina Sola
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, PhD Program in Neurosciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Ester Piovesana
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, PhD Program in Neurosciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Marco Bolis
- Functional Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Oncology Research, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
- Lymphoma and Genomics Research Program, Institute of Oncology Research, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Luciano Cascione
- Lymphoma and Genomics Research Program, Institute of Oncology Research, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sara Napoli
- Lymphoma and Genomics Research Program, Institute of Oncology Research, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Lymphoma and Genomics Research Program, Institute of Oncology Research, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Stéphanie Papin
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Paganetti
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, PhD Program in Neurosciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
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Frost B. Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies: disorders of disrupted neuronal identity. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:797-813. [PMID: 37591720 PMCID: PMC10528597 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Postmitotic neurons require persistently active controls to maintain terminal differentiation. Unlike dividing cells, aberrant cell cycle activation in mature neurons causes apoptosis rather than transformation. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related tauopathies, evidence suggests that pathogenic forms of tau drive neurodegeneration via neuronal cell cycle re-entry. Multiple interconnected mechanisms linking tau to cell cycle activation have been identified, including, but not limited to, tau-induced overstabilization of the actin cytoskeleton, consequent changes to nuclear architecture, and disruption of heterochromatin-mediated gene silencing. Cancer- and development-associated pathways are upregulated in human and cellular models of tauopathy, and many tau-induced cellular phenotypes are also present in various cancers and progenitor/stem cells. In this review, I delve into mechanistic parallels between tauopathies, cancer, and development, and highlight the role of tau in cancer and in the developing brain. Based on these studies, I put forth a model by which pathogenic forms of tau disrupt the program that maintains terminal neuronal differentiation, driving cell cycle re-entry and consequent neuronal death. This framework presents tauopathies as conditions involving the profound toxic disruption of neuronal identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bess Frost
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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4
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Yao Z, Dong H, Zhu J, Du L, Luo Y, Liu Q, Liu S, Lin Y, Wang L, Wang S, Wei W, Zhang K, Huang Q, Yu X, Zhao W, Xu H, Qiu X, Pan Y, Huang X, Jim Yeung SC, Zhang D, Zhang H. Age-related decline in hippocampal tyrosine phosphatase PTPRO is a mechanistic factor in chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e166306. [PMID: 37485875 PMCID: PMC10443805 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.166306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) or "chemo brain" is a devastating neurotoxic sequela of cancer-related treatments, especially for the elderly individuals. Here we show that PTPRO, a tyrosine phosphatase, is highly enriched in the hippocampus, and its level is tightly associated with neurocognitive function but declined significantly during aging. To understand the protective role of PTPRO in CRCI, a mouse model was generated by treating Ptpro-/- female mice with doxorubicin (DOX) because Ptpro-/- female mice are more vulnerable to DOX, showing cognitive impairments and neurodegeneration. By analyzing PTPRO substrates that are neurocognition-associated tyrosine kinases, we found that SRC and EPHA4 are highly phosphorylated/activated in the hippocampi of Ptpro-/- female mice, with increased sensitivity to DOX-induced CRCI. On the other hand, restoration of PTPRO in the hippocampal CA3 region significantly ameliorate CRCI in Ptpro-/- female mice. In addition, we found that the plant alkaloid berberine (BBR) is capable of ameliorating CRCI in aged female mice by upregulating hippocampal PTPRO. Mechanistically, BBR upregulates PTPRO by downregulating miR-25-3p, which directly targeted PTPRO. These findings collectively demonstrate the protective role of hippocampal PTPRO against CRCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimeng Yao
- Department of Urology Surgery, and
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongmei Dong
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianlin Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Liang Du
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yichen Luo
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First People‘s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Shixin Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yusheng Lin
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Graduate School, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Lu Wang
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuhong Wang
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Keke Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | | | - Xiaojun Yu
- National Key Disciplines, Department of Forensic and Pathology, and
| | - Weijiang Zhao
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Cell Biology Department, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haiyun Xu
- Shantou University Mental Health Center
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaofu Qiu
- Department of Urology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunlong Pan
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Minister of Education Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xingxu Huang
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sai-Ching Jim Yeung
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Dianzheng Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, and Minister of Education Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Sola M, Rendon-Angel A, Rojo Martinez V, Sgrignani J, Magrin C, Piovesana E, Cavalli A, Paganetti P, Papin S. Tau protein binds to the P53 E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10208. [PMID: 37353565 PMCID: PMC10290082 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37046-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau gene mutations cause a progressive dementia and neurotoxic Tau forms deposited in neurofibrillary tangles are hallmarks of neurodegenerative tauopathies. Loss of non-canonical Tau functions may contribute to disease. In fact, Tau depletion affects the cellular response to DNA damage and tauopathies exhibit the accumulation of DNA lesions. Moreover, Tau modulates P53 activity and cell fate. Considering that MDM2 is the main antagonist of P53, we investigated, using orthogonal assays, if Tau interacts with MDM2. We report the existence in cells and brain of a Tau-MDM2 complex that, in vitro, exhibits reduced P53 ubiquitination activity in a manner sensitive to a Tau mutation. The Tau-MDM2 interaction involves the microtubule-binding domain of Tau and the acidic domain of MDM2, reminiscent of the binding of Tau to negatively charged microtubules. Notably, MDM2 accumulates aberrantly in neurofibrillary tangles. Aging-associated insults may expose a novel loss-of-function of Tau in neurodegeneration and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Sola
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Room 102a, Via Chiesa 5, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- PhD Program in Neurosciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Azucena Rendon-Angel
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Room 102a, Via Chiesa 5, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Viviana Rojo Martinez
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Room 102a, Via Chiesa 5, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Jacopo Sgrignani
- Computational Structural Biology, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Magrin
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Room 102a, Via Chiesa 5, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- PhD Program in Neurosciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Ester Piovesana
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Room 102a, Via Chiesa 5, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- PhD Program in Neurosciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Computational Structural Biology, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Paganetti
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Room 102a, Via Chiesa 5, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
- PhD Program in Neurosciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland.
- Neurocentro Della Svizzera Italiana, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland.
| | - Stéphanie Papin
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Room 102a, Via Chiesa 5, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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6
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Effects of Human Papilloma Virus E6/E7 Oncoproteins on Genomic Structure in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246190. [PMID: 36551675 PMCID: PMC9777059 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is highly prevalent within the U.S., with studies estimating that over 80% of individuals will contract the virus in their lifetime. HPV is considered a primary risk factor for the development and progression of oropharyngeal cancers. The impact of the HPV virus's E6 and E7 oncoproteins on cellular signaling pathways and genomic integration has been extensively characterized. Indirect genomic effects; however, remain relatively unidentified. In this study, we analyzed 83 HPV+ Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) patients of varying HPV types. Expression counts of the HPV E6 and E7 oncogenes were estimated across samples and correlated with genomic mutational classes. High expression of E6 and E7 oncoproteins was associated with a greater number of total point mutations, especially on chromosomes 1, 11, and 17, which have been implicated in HPV-mediated cancers in previous studies. Samples with high E6 and E7 expression also exhibited more frequent non-clustered structural variation and a lack of clustered variation altogether. Copy number segments were present with fewer number of repeats in high E6 and E7 expression samples, which is known to correlate with decreased expression of affected genes. E6 and E7 expression was associated with increased activity of several cellular pathways associated in oncogenesis and telomere maintenance. In comprehensively characterizing the effects of the HPV oncoproteins on the human genome, potential mechanisms of HNSCC pathogenesis may be further elucidated.
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7
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Corsi A, Bombieri C, Valenti MT, Romanelli MG. Tau Isoforms: Gaining Insight into MAPT Alternative Splicing. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315383. [PMID: 36499709 PMCID: PMC9735940 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau microtubule-associated proteins, encoded by the MAPT gene, are mainly expressed in neurons participating in axonal transport and synaptic plasticity. Six major isoforms differentially expressed during cell development and differentiation are translated by alternative splicing of MAPT transcripts. Alterations in the expression of human Tau isoforms and their aggregation have been linked to several neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, Pick's disease, and frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17. Great efforts have been dedicated in recent years to shed light on the complex regulatory mechanism of Tau splicing, with a perspective to developing new RNA-based therapies. This review summarizes the most recent contributions to the knowledge of Tau isoform expression and experimental models, highlighting the role of cis-elements and ribonucleoproteins that regulate the alternative splicing of Tau exons.
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8
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Ayyubova G. Dysfunctional microglia and tau pathology in Alzheimer’s disease. Rev Neurosci 2022; 34:443-458. [DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2022-0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Extensive human studies and animal models show that chronic immune system stimulation involving microglia, inflammasome, complement activation, synthesis of cytokines, and reactive oxygen species exacerbates neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other tauopathies. Abnormalities in tau, Aβ, and microglial activation are frequently observed in dementia patients and indicate that these elements may work in concert to cause cognitive impairment. Contradicting reports from postmortem studies demonstrating the presence of Aβ aggregates in the brains of cognitively healthy individuals, as well as other investigations, show that tau aggregation is more strongly associated with synapse loss, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline than amyloid pathology. Tau association with microtubules’ surface promotes their growth and maintains their assembly, dynamicity, and stability. In contrast, the reduced affinity of hyperphosphorylated and mislocalized tau to microtubules leads to axonal deficits and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Loss of microglial neuroprotective and phagocytic functions, as indicated by the faulty clearance of amyloid plaques, as well as correlations between microglial activation and tau tangle spread, all demonstrate the critical involvement of malfunctioning microglia in driving tau propagation. This review discusses the recent reports on the contribution of microglial cells to the development and progression of tau pathology. The detailed study of pathogenic mechanisms involved in interactions between neuroinflammation and tau spread is critical in identifying the targets for efficacious treatment strategies in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunel Ayyubova
- Department of Cytology, Embryology and Histology , Azerbaijan Medical University , S. Vurgun Street , Baku 1102 , Azerbaijan
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9
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Cimini S, Giaccone G, Tagliavini F, Costantino M, Perego P, Rossi G. P301L tau mutation leads to alterations of cell cycle, DNA damage response and apoptosis: evidence for a role of tau in cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 200:115043. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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10
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De Luigi A, Colombo L, Russo L, Ricci C, Bastone A, Cimini S, Tagliavini F, Rossi G, Cantù L, Del Favero E, Salmona M. Biochemical and biophysical features of disease-associated tau mutants V363A and V363I. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2022; 1870:140755. [PMID: 34999006 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2022.140755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The comprehension of pathogenetic mechanisms in tauopathy-associated neurodegenerative diseases can be improved by the knowledge of the biochemical and biophysical features of mutated tau proteins. Here, we used the full-length, wild-type tau, the V363A and V363I mutated species, associated with pathology, and the P301L mutated tau as a benchmark. Using several techniques, including small-angle X-ray scattering, atomic force microscopy, thioflavin T binding, and electrophoretic separation, we compared their course from intrinsically disordered monomers in solution to early-stage recruitment in complexes and then aggregates of increasing size over long periods up to the asymptotic aggregative behavior of full-length tau proteins. We showed that diversity in the kinetics of recruitment and aggregate structure occurs from the beginning and spreads all over their pathway to very large objects. The different extents of conformational changes and types of molecular assemblies among the proteins were also reflected in their in vitro toxicity; this variation could correlate with physiopathology in humans, considering that the P301L mutation is more aggressive than V363A, especially V363I. This study identified the presence of aggregation intermediates and corroborated the oligomeric hypothesis of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada De Luigi
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Colombo
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Russo
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Caterina Ricci
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Antonio Bastone
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Cimini
- Unit of Neurology V and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Tagliavini
- Unit of Neurology V and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Giacomina Rossi
- Unit of Neurology V and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Cantù
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Del Favero
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
| | - Mario Salmona
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research IRCCS, Milano, Italy.
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Sun Y, Zhao J. Transcription Elongation Factor A (SII)-Like (TCEAL) Gene Family Member-TCEAL2: A Novel Prognostic Marker in Pan-Cancer. Cancer Inform 2022; 21:11769351221126285. [PMID: 36199541 PMCID: PMC9527986 DOI: 10.1177/11769351221126285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cancer is the leading cause of death in the world. The mechanism is not fully elucidated and the therapeutic effect is also unsatisfactory. In our study, we aim to find new target gene in pan-cancer. Methods: Differently expressed genes (DEGs) was screened out in various types of cancers from GEO database. The expression of DEG (TCEAL2) in tumor cell lines, normal tissues and tumor tissues was calculated. Then the clinical characteristics, DNA methylation, tumor infiltration and gene enrichment of TCEAL2 was studied. Results: TCEAL2 expressions were down-regulated in most cancers. Its expression and methylation were positively or negatively associated with prognosis in different cancers. The tumor infiltration results revealed that TCEAL2 was significantly related with many immune cells especially NK cells and immune-related genes in majority cancers. Furthermore, tau protein and tubulin binding were involved in the molecular function mechanisms of TCEAL2. Conclusion: TCEAL2 may be a novel prognostic marker in different cancers and may affect tumor through immune infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Sun
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Bagheri P, Hoang K, Fung AA, Hussain S, Shi L. Visualizing Cancer Cell Metabolic Dynamics Regulated With Aromatic Amino Acids Using DO-SRS and 2PEF Microscopy. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:779702. [PMID: 34977157 PMCID: PMC8714916 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.779702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative imbalance plays an essential role in the progression of many diseases that include cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Aromatic amino acids (AAA) such as phenylalanine and tryptophan have the capability of escalating oxidative stress because of their involvement in the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Here, we use D2O (heavy water) probed stimulated Raman scattering microscopy (DO-SRS) and two Photon Excitation Fluorescence (2PEF) microscopy as a multimodal imaging approach to visualize metabolic changes in HeLa cells under excess AAA such as phenylalanine or trytophan in culture media. The cellular spatial distribution of de novo lipogenesis, new protein synthesis, NADH, Flavin, unsaturated lipids, and saturated lipids were all imaged and quantified in this experiment. Our studies reveal ∼10% increase in de novo lipogenesis and the ratio of NADH to flavin, and ∼50% increase of the ratio of unsaturated lipids to saturated lipid in cells treated with excess phenylalanine or trytophan. In contrast, these cells exhibited a decrease in the protein synthesis rate by ∼10% under these AAA treatments. The cellular metabolic activities of these biomolecules are indicators of elevated oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, 3D reconstruction images of lipid droplets were acquired and quantified to observe their spatial distribution around cells’ nuceli under different AAA culture media. We observed a higher number of lipid droplets in excess AAA conditions. Our study showcases that DO-SRS imaging can be used to quantitatively study how excess AAA regulates metabolic activities of cells with subcellular resolution in situ.
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Martinez D, Zhu M, Guidry JJ, Majeste N, Mao H, Yanofsky ST, Tian X, Wu C. Mask, the Drosophila ankyrin repeat and KH domain-containing protein, affects microtubule stability. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:272264. [PMID: 34553767 PMCID: PMC8572007 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper regulation of microtubule (MT) stability and dynamics is vital for essential cellular processes, including axonal transportation and synaptic growth and remodeling in neurons. In the present study, we demonstrate that the Drosophila ankyrin repeat and KH domain-containing protein Mask negatively affects MT stability in both larval muscles and motor neurons. In larval muscles, loss-of-function of mask increases MT polymer length, and in motor neurons, loss of mask function results in overexpansion of the presynaptic terminal at the larval neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). mask genetically interacts with stathmin (stai), a neuronal modulator of MT stability, in the regulation of axon transportation and synaptic terminal stability. Our structure–function analysis of Mask revealed that its ankyrin repeats domain-containing N-terminal portion is sufficient to mediate Mask's impact on MT stability. Furthermore, we discovered that Mask negatively regulates the abundance of the MT-associated protein Jupiter in motor neuron axons, and that neuronal knocking down of Jupiter partially suppresses mask loss-of-function phenotypes at the larval NMJs. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that Mask is a novel regulator for MT stability, and such a role of Mask requires normal function of Jupiter. Summary: Mask is a novel regulator of MT stability in Drosophila. Mask shows prominent interplay with two important modulators of MT, Tau and Stathmin (Stai), whose mutations are related to human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Martinez
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Mingwei Zhu
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Jessie J Guidry
- Proteomics Core Facility, and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Niles Majeste
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Hui Mao
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Sarah T Yanofsky
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Xiaolin Tian
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Chunlai Wu
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Siano G, Falcicchia C, Origlia N, Cattaneo A, Di Primio C. Non-Canonical Roles of Tau and Their Contribution to Synaptic Dysfunction. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221810145. [PMID: 34576308 PMCID: PMC8466023 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau plays a central role in a group of neurodegenerative disorders collectively named tauopathies. Despite the wide range of diverse symptoms at the onset and during the progression of the pathology, all tauopathies share two common hallmarks, namely the misfolding and aggregation of Tau protein and progressive synaptic dysfunctions. Tau aggregation correlates with cognitive decline and behavioural impairment. The mechanistic link between Tau misfolding and the synaptic dysfunction is still unknown, but this correlation is well established in the human brain and also in tauopathy mouse models. At the onset of the pathology, Tau undergoes post-translational modifications (PTMs) inducing the detachment from the cytoskeleton and its release in the cytoplasm as a soluble monomer. In this condition, the physiological enrichment in the axon is definitely disrupted, resulting in Tau relocalization in the cell soma and in dendrites. Subsequently, Tau aggregates into toxic oligomers and amyloidogenic forms that disrupt synaptic homeostasis and function, resulting in neuronal degeneration. The involvement of Tau in synaptic transmission alteration in tauopathies has been extensively reviewed. Here, we will focus on non-canonical Tau functions mediating synapse dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Siano
- Laboratory of Biology, BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Chiara Falcicchia
- Institute of Neuroscience, Italian National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.F.); (N.O.)
| | - Nicola Origlia
- Institute of Neuroscience, Italian National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.F.); (N.O.)
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Laboratory of Biology, BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Fondazione Rita Levi-Montalcini, Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (C.D.P.)
| | - Cristina Di Primio
- Institute of Neuroscience, Italian National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.F.); (N.O.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (C.D.P.)
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15
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The Aneugenicity of Ketone Bodies in Colon Epithelial Cells Is Mediated by Microtubule Hyperacetylation and Is Blocked by Resveratrol. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179397. [PMID: 34502304 PMCID: PMC8430621 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered to be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Recent studies have also revealed that tubulin hyperacetylation is caused by a diabetic status and we have reported previously that, under microtubule hyperacetylation, a microtubule severing protein, katanin-like (KL) 1, is upregulated and contributes to tumorigenesis. To further explore this phenomenon, we tested the effects of the ketone bodies, acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate, in colon and fibroblast cells. Both induced microtubule hyperacetylation that responded differently to a histone deacetylase 3 knockdown. These two ketone bodies also generated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hyperacetylation was commonly inhibited by ROS inhibitors. In a human fibroblast-based microtubule sensitivity test, only the KL1 human katanin family member showed activation by both ketone bodies. In primary cultured colon epithelial cells, these ketone bodies reduced the tau protein level and induced KL1- and α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (ATAT1)-dependent micronucleation. Resveratrol, known for its tumor preventive and tubulin deacetylation effects, inhibited this micronucleation. Our current data thus suggest that the microtubule hyperacetylation induced by ketone bodies may be a causal factor linking DM to colorectal carcinogenesis and may also represent an adverse effect of them that needs to be controlled if they are used as therapeutics.
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Tau oligomers accumulation sensitizes prostate cancer cells to docetaxel treatment. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:1957-1971. [PMID: 33811272 PMCID: PMC8164592 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03598-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Human tau is a highly dynamic, multifunctional protein expressed in different isoforms and conformers, known to modulate microtubule turnover. Tau oligomers are considered pathologic forms of the protein able to initiate specific protein accumulation diseases, called tauopathies. In our study, we investigated the potential association between autophagy and tau oligomers accumulation and its role in the response of prostate cancer cells to docetaxel. METHODS We evaluated in vitro the expression of tau oligomers in prostate cancer cell lines, PC3 and DU145, in presence of autophagy inhibitors and investigated the role of tau oligomers accumulation in resistance to docetaxel treatment. RESULTS Tau protein was basally expressed in prostate cancer lines as several monomeric and oligomeric forms. The pharmacologic inhibition of autophagy induced in cancer cells the accumulation of tau protein, with a prevalent expression of oligomeric forms. Immunofluorescence analysis of untreated cells revealed that tau was visible mainly in dividing cells where it was localized on the mitotic spindle. Inhibition of autophagy determined an evident upregulation of tau signal in dividing cells and the presence of aberrant monoastral mitotic spindles. The accumulation of tau oligomers was associated with DNA DSB and increased cytotoxic effect by docetaxel. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that autophagy could exert a promoting role in cancer growth and during chemotherapy facilitating degradation of tau protein and thus blocking the antimitotic effect of accumulated tau oligomers. Thus, therapeutic strategies aimed at stimulating tau oligomers formation, such as autophagy inhibition, could be an effective adjuvant in cancer therapy.
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Takamatsu Y, Ho G, Wada R, Inoue S, Hashimoto M. Adiponectin paradox as a therapeutic target of the cancer evolvability in aging. Neoplasia 2021; 23:112-117. [PMID: 33310207 PMCID: PMC7726259 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2020.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent study suggests that protofibril-formation of amyloidogenic proteins (APs) might be involved in evolvability, an epigenetic inheritance of multiple stresses, in various biological systems. In cancer, evolvability of multiple APs, such as p53, γ-synuclein and the members of the calcitonin family of peptides, might be involved in various features, including increased cell proliferation, metastasis and medical treatment resistance. In this context, the objective of this paper is to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of reduced APs evolvability against cancer. Notably, the same APs are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease and cancer. Given the unsatisfactory outcomes of recent clinical trial of Aβ immunotherapy in Alzheimer's disease, it is possible that suppressing the aggregation of individual APs might also be not effective in cancer. As such, we highlight the adiponectin (APN) paradox that might be positioned upstream of AP aggregation in both neurodegenerative disease and cancer, as a common therapeutic target in both disease types. Provided that the APN paradox due to APN resistance under the diabetic conditions might promote AP aggregation, suppressing the APN paradox combined with antidiabetic treatments might be effective for the therapy of both neurodegenerative disease and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiki Takamatsu
- Laboratory for Parkinson's disease, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gilbert Ho
- PCND Neuroscience Research Institute, Poway, CA, USA
| | - Ryoko Wada
- Laboratory for Parkinson's disease, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Department of Systems Aging Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Makoto Hashimoto
- Laboratory for Parkinson's disease, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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18
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Colnaghi L, Rondelli D, Muzi-Falconi M, Sertic S. Tau and DNA Damage in Neurodegeneration. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E946. [PMID: 33297375 PMCID: PMC7762255 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are a family of incurable conditions. Among them, Alzheimer's disease and tauopathies are the most common. Pathological features of these two disorders are synaptic loss, neuronal cell death and increased DNA damage. A key pathological protein for the onset and progression of the conditions is the protein tau, a microtubule-binding protein highly expressed in neurons and encoded by the MAPT (microtubule-associated protein tau) gene. Tau is predominantly a cytosolic protein that interacts with numerous other proteins and molecules. Recent findings, however, have highlighted new and unexpected roles for tau in the nucleus of neuronal cells. This review summarizes the functions of tau in the metabolism of DNA, describing them in the context of the disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Colnaghi
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Rondelli
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (D.R.); (M.M.-F.)
| | - Marco Muzi-Falconi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (D.R.); (M.M.-F.)
| | - Sarah Sertic
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (D.R.); (M.M.-F.)
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Kim YC, Jeong BH. Identification of Somatic Mutations in Dementia-related Genes in Cancer Patients. Curr Alzheimer Res 2020; 17:835-844. [PMID: 33272183 DOI: 10.2174/1567205017666201203124341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dementia is an overall term of brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), tauopathies and synucleinopathies. To date, somatic mutations in dementia-related genes, including the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene, presenilin 1 (PSEN1) gene, PSEN2 gene, microtubule- associated protein tau (MAPT) gene, alpha-synuclein (SNCA) gene and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene, have been considered one cause of dementia. We have questioned the impact of somatic mutations in dementia-related genes on cancer. METHODS In the present study, we investigated somatic mutations in the APP, PSEN1, PSEN2, MAPT, SNCA and LRRK2 genes and the impact of these somatic mutations. RESULTS From The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we found 1,643 somatic mutations in the APP, PSEN1, PSEN2, MAPT, SNCA and LRRK2 genes in cancer patients. Strikingly, compared to the distributions of cancer types in total cancer patients, somatic mutations in the dementia-related genes showed an extremely low distribution in glioblastoma patients. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation of dementia-related genes in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Chan Kim
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 54531, Korea
| | - Byung-Hoon Jeong
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 54531, Korea
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20
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Papin S, Paganetti P. Emerging Evidences for an Implication of the Neurodegeneration-Associated Protein TAU in Cancer. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10110862. [PMID: 33207722 PMCID: PMC7696480 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10110862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders and cancer may appear unrelated illnesses. Yet, epidemiologic studies indicate an inverse correlation between their respective incidences for specific cancers. Possibly explaining these findings, increasing evidence indicates that common molecular pathways are involved, often in opposite manner, in the pathogenesis of both disease families. Genetic mutations in the MAPT gene encoding for TAU protein cause an inherited form of frontotemporal dementia, a neurodegenerative disorder, but also increase the risk of developing cancer. Assigning TAU at the interface between cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, two major aging-linked disease families, offers a possible clue for the epidemiological observation inversely correlating these human illnesses. In addition, the expression level of TAU is recognized as a prognostic marker for cancer, as well as a modifier of cancer resistance to chemotherapy. Because of its microtubule-binding properties, TAU may interfere with the mechanism of action of taxanes, a class of chemotherapeutic drugs designed to stabilize the microtubule network and impair cell division. Indeed, a low TAU expression is associated to a better response to taxanes. Although TAU main binding partners are microtubules, TAU is able to relocate to subcellular sites devoid of microtubules and is also able to bind to cancer-linked proteins, suggesting a role of TAU in modulating microtubule-independent cellular pathways associated to oncogenesis. This concept is strengthened by experimental evidence linking TAU to P53 signaling, DNA stability and protection, processes that protect against cancer. This review aims at collecting literature data supporting the association between TAU and cancer. We will first summarize the evidence linking neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, then published data supporting a role of TAU as a modifier of the efficacy of chemotherapies and of the oncogenic process. We will finish by addressing from a mechanistic point of view the role of TAU in de-regulating critical cancer pathways, including the interaction of TAU with cancer-associated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Papin
- Neurodegeneration Research Group, Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Via ai Söi 24, CH-6807 Torricella-Taverne, Switzerland;
| | - Paolo Paganetti
- Neurodegeneration Research Group, Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Via ai Söi 24, CH-6807 Torricella-Taverne, Switzerland;
- Faculty of Biomedical Neurosciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, CH-6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-91-811-7250
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Kent SA, Spires-Jones TL, Durrant CS. The physiological roles of tau and Aβ: implications for Alzheimer's disease pathology and therapeutics. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 140:417-447. [PMID: 32728795 PMCID: PMC7498448 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02196-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Tau and amyloid beta (Aβ) are the prime suspects for driving pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and, as such, have become the focus of therapeutic development. Recent research, however, shows that these proteins have been highly conserved throughout evolution and may have crucial, physiological roles. Such functions may be lost during AD progression or be unintentionally disrupted by tau- or Aβ-targeting therapies. Tau has been revealed to be more than a simple stabiliser of microtubules, reported to play a role in a range of biological processes including myelination, glucose metabolism, axonal transport, microtubule dynamics, iron homeostasis, neurogenesis, motor function, learning and memory, neuronal excitability, and DNA protection. Aβ is similarly multifunctional, and is proposed to regulate learning and memory, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, repair leaks in the blood-brain barrier, promote recovery from injury, and act as an antimicrobial peptide and tumour suppressor. This review will discuss potential physiological roles of tau and Aβ, highlighting how changes to these functions may contribute to pathology, as well as the implications for therapeutic development. We propose that a balanced consideration of both the physiological and pathological roles of tau and Aβ will be essential for the design of safe and effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Kent
- Translational Neuroscience PhD Programme, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ Scotland, UK
| | - Tara L. Spires-Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ Scotland, UK
| | - Claire S. Durrant
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ Scotland, UK
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Tomkins JE, Ferrari R, Vavouraki N, Hardy J, Lovering RC, Lewis PA, McGuffin LJ, Manzoni C. PINOT: an intuitive resource for integrating protein-protein interactions. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:92. [PMID: 32527260 PMCID: PMC7291677 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00554-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The past decade has seen the rise of omics data for the understanding of biological systems in health and disease. This wealth of information includes protein-protein interaction (PPI) data derived from both low- and high-throughput assays, which are curated into multiple databases that capture the extent of available information from the peer-reviewed literature. Although these curation efforts are extremely useful, reliably downloading and integrating PPI data from the variety of available repositories is challenging and time consuming. Methods We here present a novel user-friendly web-resource called PINOT (Protein Interaction Network Online Tool; available at http://www.reading.ac.uk/bioinf/PINOT/PINOT_form.html) to optimise the collection and processing of PPI data from IMEx consortium associated repositories (members and observers) and WormBase, for constructing, respectively, human and Caenorhabditis elegans PPI networks. Results Users submit a query containing a list of proteins of interest for which PINOT extracts data describing PPIs. At every query submission PPI data are downloaded, merged and quality assessed. Then each PPI is confidence scored based on the number of distinct methods used for interaction detection and the number of publications that report the specific interaction. Examples of how PINOT can be applied are provided to highlight the performance, ease of use and potential utility of this tool. Conclusions PINOT is a tool that allows users to survey the curated literature, extracting PPI data in relation to a list of proteins of interest. PINOT extracts a similar numbers of PPIs as other, analogous, tools and incorporates a set of innovative features. PINOT is able to process large queries, it downloads human PPIs live through PSICQUIC and it applies quality control filters on the downloaded PPI data (i.e. removing the need for manual inspection by the user). PINOT provides the user with information on detection methods and publication history for each downloaded interaction data entry and outputs the results in a table format that can be straightforwardly further customised and/or directly uploaded into network visualization software. Video abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Tomkins
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AP, UK
| | - Raffaele Ferrari
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Nikoleta Vavouraki
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AP, UK
| | - John Hardy
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL and Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL IoN, UCL, London, UK.,Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL IoN, 1 Wakefield Street, London, WC1N 1PJ, UK.,UCL Movement Disorders Centre, UCL, London, UK.,Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ruth C Lovering
- Functional Gene Annotation, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, 5 University Street, London, WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Patrick A Lewis
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AP, UK.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.,Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Liam J McGuffin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AS, UK.
| | - Claudia Manzoni
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AP, UK. .,School of Pharmacy, UCL, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK.
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Gargini R, Segura-Collar B, Sánchez-Gómez P. Novel Functions of the Neurodegenerative-Related Gene Tau in Cancer. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:231. [PMID: 31551755 PMCID: PMC6736573 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of global and comparative genomics between different diseases allows us to understand the key biological processes that explain the etiology of these pathologies. We have used this type of approach to evaluate the expression of several neurodegeneration-related genes on the development of tumors, particularly brain tumors of glial origin (gliomas), which are an aggressive and incurable type of cancer. We have observed that genes involved in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, correlate with better prognosis of gliomas. Within these genes, high Tau/MAPT expression shows the strongest correlation with several indicators of prolonged survival on glioma patients. Tau protein regulates microtubule stability and dynamics in neurons, although there have been reports of its expression in glial cells and also in gliomas. However, little is known about the regulation of Tau/MAPT transcription in tumors. Moreover, our in silico analysis indicates that this gene is also expressed in a variety of tumors, showing a general correlation with survival, although its function in cancer has not yet been addressed. Another remarkable aspect of Tau is its involvement in resistance to taxanes in various tumors types such as breast, ovarian and gastric carcinomas. This is due to the fact that taxanes have the same tubulin-binding site as Tau. In the present work we review the main knowledge about Tau function and expression in tumors, with a special focus on brain cancer. We will also speculate with the therapeutic implications of these findings.
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microRNA diagnostic panel for Alzheimer's disease and epigenetic trade-off between neurodegeneration and cancer. Ageing Res Rev 2019; 49:125-143. [PMID: 30391753 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) have been extensively studied as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Their profiles have been analyzed in blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain tissue. However, due to the high variability between the reported data, stemming from the lack of methodological standardization and the heterogeneity of AD, the most promising miRNA biomarker candidates have not been selected. Our literature review shows that out of 137 miRNAs found to be altered in AD blood, 36 have been replicated in at least one independent study, and out of 166 miRNAs reported as differential in AD CSF, 13 have been repeatedly found. Only 3 miRNAs have been consistently reported as altered in three analyzed specimens: blood, CSF and the brain (hsa-miR-146a, hsa-miR-125b, hsa-miR-135a). Nonetheless, all 36 repeatedly differential miRNAs in AD blood are promising as components of the diagnostic panel. Given their predicted functions, such miRNA panel may report multiple pathways contributing to AD pathology, enabling the design of personalized therapies. In addition, the analysis revealed that the miRNAs dysregulated in AD overlap highly with miRNAs implicated in cancer. However, the directions of the miRNA changes are usually opposite in cancer and AD, indicative of an epigenetic trade-off between the two diseases.
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Deutschländer AB, Boeve BF, Rosen HJ, Boxer AL, Wszolek ZK. Tau Mutations as a Novel Risk Factor for Cancer-Letter. Cancer Res 2018; 78:6523-6524. [PMID: 30373809 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-2313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Howard J Rosen
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Adam L Boxer
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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